“Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.”
(Proverbs 16:3)
I read this verse last month and it struck me in a different way. I have been reading a Proverb every day for years. I love how God brings different things to light at different times in our lives when we need them. It reminds us of His Sovereignty and of His care for us.
When we think of the word commit we think of fully dedicating ourselves to something. God wants us to fully dedicate our work to Him. As I read this verse, I was struck by the word “work” in this verse. I have 3 different things – work – that I do. I have been asking God for wisdom and direction in each of these, but never really thought about committing them to the Lord. As I started praying this prayer to the Lord, I began to see some changes.
God has given me the work that I do. He has seen me responsible enough and able enough to do that work. Do I turn around and commit it to Him? He has given it to me, do I give it back to Him knowing His plans are sovereign?
It is the laying the work that I do at His feet knowing that He knows what is for my best and for His glory. I began to pray “Lord, I commit to you my nursing job. I commit to you my real estate job. I commit to you my counseling job.”
As we commit our work to the Lord, then our plans will be established. It is the dependency on the Lord and the realization that He knows what is for our best. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom.8:28).
I have been praying this prayer for my daughter who needed to find a job in her field, and God provided her one. It may not be exactly what she is looking for, but it is a job that will challenge her and she will be using her degree. Praise God for His goodness.
In the idea of committing, we are relying on God. When we do this, we realize our dependency on Him and also realize His sovereignty. We may never understand “the plans that are established” by us for the Lord, but we certainly can use what He has given us to increase our faith in Him.
So when you drive to work tomorrow and the next day, or you get out of bed and sit down at your desk because you work remotely “commit your work to the Lord.” He gave you that job for a very specific reason. Are you seeking to fulfill that reason? Yes, it is to help provide for our needs, but what about the people you work with. Do they know you are a believer because you are honorable in your job? Do they see the love of Christ in your words and actions?
As you begin to change your prayer, watch how God answers and then be sure to follow His lead.
